Wadi Rum







I'm in the little group on the to right



I spent this past weekend in the desert; camping in Bedouin tents and riding camels.  The desert was absolutely gorgeous--it can neither be captured in a picture nor described in a way that would do it justice.  The first day was pretty chilly, not what I was expecting in the desert.  We rode on the back of pick-up trucks for four hours, making stops at different parts of the desert.  I ate my lunch on top of a huge rock mountain, looking out onto the desert.  We got to climb a bunch of different mountains and rock structures, which was really cool.  We watched the sunset and drank tea with the Bedouins before driving to our camp site.  Where I dumped a mini desert out of my shoes!







Our humble abode in the Bedouin Camp



The camp itself was really nice, a lot better than I was expecting.  The tents were divided into three separate rooms, with two beds, mosquito nets, chairs and candles.  The tents were right on the sand, so there were carpets that were place down so that people could walk easily.  There were actual beds, not just sleeping bags, which was a lot better than I was expecting.  It gets so cold in the evening during the desert, and once the sun went down it was absolutely freezing!  It’s a good thing that there were a lot of blankets and I brought a lot of layers!



Sarah and I with our Camels



The next morning we got up early and took a three hour camel ride!  It was so much fun and quite an experience!!  It was so relaxing and peaceful to be on the camel.  They smelled a little bit, but not nearly as much as I was expecting them to, which was a plus and I did not get spit on by a camel, which was a very big accomplishment!  Though, I have to say that all of my clothes smelled like a camel, which was really gross--nothing some detergent won’t be able to fix!  They led us on the camel for a little while, and then I was able to guide my own.   We had a little kid who was our guide, and wanted to make sure that we were having a good time--it was really cute. He would just turn around and smile at us and say hello.   My guy liked to snack a lot, so he stopped at almost every bush to get something to eat, and then would get going again.  One of the camel guides told his CIEE student that he would like to be my husband--so, if all else fails, I can marry a Bedouin and live in the desert!  While riding a camel was so much fun, I have never been so sore before!!  It was definitely worth it; a once in a lifetime experience!



Nabil and I-- The Siena Crew





Sarah and I in the Desert





Only one week of midterms and than spring break!!  Look out Greece!